Karen Connolly
Riyadh
Summary
Experienced VP of HR with 15+ years of global leadership in recruitment, specializing in strategic team management, recruitment marketing, and corporate scaling. I've successfully led teams across New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA, partnering with both startups and large organizations in diverse sectors such as non-profit, tech, finance, and transportation. Known for driving data-driven talent acquisition strategies and optimizing systems to meet evolving business needs, I am dedicated to building high-performance teams that set new benchmarks for success and impact.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager
Korn Ferry
12.2023 - 10.2025
- Senior Project Manager in Talent Acquisition & People Strategy, leading international recruitment teams to source and hire talent for PIF companies (RX & ACWA Power). Focused on aligning talent strategies with business goals to build diverse, high-performing teams that drive innovation and growth.
Managing Lead, Recruitment
Datadog
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed a recruitment team supporting Datadog's largest sales division (NAMER & EMEA, including MM & LATAM - GTM). Partnered with PBPs and business leaders on strategic recruitment, training, and diversity initiatives. Collaborated with marketing to strengthen brand, culture, and EVP. Led projects in Sourcing CoE, L&D workshops, and interview skills. Contributed to the Veterans CG leadership team and led a team of 18 to establish a global sourcing center of excellence.
Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant
MFS
02.2021 - 02.2022
- Led a team of 7 senior recruiters specializing in executive search across GTM, legal, compliance, finance, and marketing. Drove diversity initiatives, modernized recruitment processes, and advanced digital strategies. Managed Graduate Management Program recruitment and delivered Hiring Manager CBI training.
Managing Director
Chameleon Talent
12.2020 - 01.2021
- Co-created a direct hire app to streamline recruitment communication and processes between talent and employers in the F&B industry. Led a cross-functional development team spanning UX/UI, operations, business development, recruitment, and communications.
Talent Acquisition Manager
First Abu Dhabi Bank
01.2018 - 06.2019
- Led a recruitment team, including agency recruiters, for Personal Banking, collaborating with key departments to attract global talent. Revamped sourcing strategy to build a diverse pipeline, including Emirati talent, while enhancing interview processes and assessments. Developed a recruitment playbook in partnership with EVP and branding teams. Led a team of 3 in executing recruitment strategy for PAYIT, a vertical digital bank startup.
Recruitment Manager for Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR & EA to Head of TA
Etihad Airways
03.2014 - 12.2017
- Redesigned and redefined the Guest Services recruitment strategy, pioneering innovative assessment and resourcing processes that aligned seamlessly with the luxury standards of a 5
- Guest experience. Co-designed and co-hosted a dynamic international showcase for students and industry leaders, driving an outstanding 94% placement rate for 30 candidates. Led talent acquisition initiatives across Operations, Marketing, Finance, and HR, while collaborating closely with the Head of Talent Acquisition to enhance and streamline the recruitment function across the organization.
Events Manager
Total Fundraising
03.2013 - 03.2014
Communications Manager
Greenpeace
06.2011 - 02.2013
EA to MEP
European Parliament
01.2006 - 07.2006
Skills
- DIGITAL FINANCE & INVESTMENTS NONPROFIT TECH TRANSPORTATION
- TA, OE, Transformation, Employee Engagement (Culture, HRBP, Onboarding)
- STRATEGY: Inhouse, RFP, RPO, Implementation, MARCOM and Data & Analytics
- TALENT DEVELOPMENT: Leadership, Mobility, Graduate, L&D and Engagement & Retention
- SOFTWARE: iGrasp, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS, Oleeo, Gem, Eightfold, SF, Oracle, WorkDay
- ASSESSMENTS: Behavioral, Psychometric (Cut-e Saville Gallup Disc) & Technical
Timeline
Senior Manager
Korn Ferry
12.2023 - 10.2025
Managing Lead, Recruitment
Datadog
02.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant
MFS
02.2021 - 02.2022
Managing Director
Chameleon Talent
12.2020 - 01.2021
Talent Acquisition Manager
First Abu Dhabi Bank
01.2018 - 06.2019
Recruitment Manager for Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR & EA to Head of TA
Etihad Airways
03.2014 - 12.2017
Events Manager
Total Fundraising
03.2013 - 03.2014
Communications Manager
Greenpeace
06.2011 - 02.2013
EA to MEP
European Parliament
01.2006 - 07.2006